I’m off to Bermuda for the double-holiday weekend; while I’m away I’ll leave you with the results of this University of Chicago report on the differences between patriotism between Canada and the U.S.
If you’re too lazy to click, here’s the gist of it:
Canadians rank higher regarding pride in their social security system and their treatment of different groups within their society than on any other dimensions. They ranked relatively low in their pride for their sports, arts and literature, military and history.
I’d say they’ve pretty much got our number. For me, what I love about Canada is:
- We’re generally more tolerant and—let’s face it—smarter than Americans.
- We wouldn’t dream for a even a moment that we’re the center of the universe.
And here’s what I hate:
- Like Americans (and others), we’re generally complacent and lazy, too self-absorbed in the myopia in our everyday lives to care about big important stuff.
- When it comes to our art and culture we have a huge inferiority complex, and neither our broadcasters or government are doing much to help.
How about you? Share your loves/hates in the comments section, and lets see what we can do to make our goddamn beer-drinkin’, butter tart-eatin’, hockey-watchin’ country an even better place to live!
😀
Andrew Currie 
2 responses to “Patriotism: Canada vs. USA”
AC:
Your 2nd #2 is something I think about every time I see Sleepy Rock run its commercial with Leeza the Gibbon. Apparently, using a has-been American celeb will help a crappy radio station sound better because the celeb is American and, therefore, knows quality when she hears it. I get angry when I see that commercial. It’s a remnant of the attitude in the 50’s and 60’s that Americans could do radio better than Canadians, so the people who run Sleepy Rock obviously have the same attitude to shell out the bucks for the Gibbon. Rant ends here, soapbox available for the next commentary….
Ed
Butter Tarts???